* DH Luke Scott will be on an every-other-day playing schedule for now, as he and the Rays balance the need for at-bats to regain his timing with being cautious with his surgically repaired right shoulder. Maddon said they would like to get Scott about 50 at-bats before the start of the season but acknowledged that may not be possible. At some point they will start playing Scott on consecutive days.

* Maddon said SS Reid Brignac has done a good job of making the adjustments they have asked him to at the plate, evidenced by him working better at-bats and getting a bunt down.

* Sean Rodriguez is playing second and Brignac short to start today's game, but Maddon said not to read anything into it. The plan is for them to flip after three innings as the Rays just want both to get at-bats. Rodriguez was out four days with a strained left index finger.

* With Davd Price pitching for the first time since hurting his neck by toweling off too hard, Maddon said they would have to check the supply in the dugout. "If we're playing with road towels, it could be a concern,'' he said. "You never know that the Orioles may have thrown a little extra towel hardener in there of some kind, or they may have attached some velcro to the towel to really tug and pull.''

And if they were playing the rival Red Sox? "It would be BYOTs in Boston.''

About the blog

The Tampa Bay Rays will head into the 2015 season with Evan Longoria, Chris Archer, Alex Cobb and plenty of new faces, including manager Kevin Cash. Can they upend the Orioles in the highly competitive AL East? Come here to follow Rays news at Tropicana Field and beyond.